By Dr Wilfred Isak April
BE ANYTHING you want to be in Namibia. Just don’t be poor! These were some of, the words I learned through motivating the Grade 10 & 12 pupils who did not managed to pass last year at the Yetu Yama Youth Centre, last week Thursday. At this session one young man introduced himself as Tuhafeni Elias from Greenwell Matongo, who demonstrated dedication in pursuit of his dreams.
How often do we want to do great things? Even a business of our own, only to be told by others closest to us, that what we desire is impossible? They will even tell you that you would be a fool to attempt such a thing. Namibians attempt the business you desire and have it end up being a failure and everyone around you, including your own family, will remind you that you failed on a daily basis.
When this happens doubts kick in and you will find yourself fearful of pursuing your dreams. You will constantly ask yourself, “What will they think of me and what will they say about me?” One keeps asking yourself, why? Because people’s perceptions about us, based on the place where we come from or our past failures, hurts.
It reminds us constantly that something went wrong. As a nation we don’t realise that criticism builds worries and doubts in other people’s mind. Namibians, there are times when we all just have to let it go and cut right through all the gentle “psycho bubble”. I encourage you today to find within yourself and say “Goodbye” to the criticiser. Tell yourself that you are unstoppable and release the old negativity. Start writing this on a piece of paper and burn it till the last scrap. This symbolises that you are letting go and you are ready to welcome your new freedom of true empowerment. I would like to give you a few pointers about how you can get back up and put steam into your dreams.
Be a Goal-getter: Goals are meaningless without plan of action. As citizens we do not just plan to fail, sometime we just fail to plan. Every single day until the end of this year our Grade 10&12s must wake up and do things that will push them closer to their goal of success…and it all begins with the mindset of the parent and the pupil as well. Sounds familiar to what the pupils told me in the beginning? Poverty is all in the mind.
Love and appreciate who you are: Too many times we are so obsessed with our weaknesses and we simply do not realise the value in them. Tuhafeni once again reminded us as a nation that we couldn’t expect to love and appreciate anybody, if we cannot appreciate ourselves first. We can only attract who and what we are. It is a given that when you do not know who you are, you will leave it to the rest of Namibia to define you. Embrace your uniqueness and know your worth.
Believe that you can: The power of belief, really can unlock the door of opportunity. Face situations head on like Tuhafeni and say: Yes there is noise in my location, but I was born to be the best I can be, regardless of my current circumstances.
Finally, step into the winner’s circle: It does not matter whether you are in the winner’s circle or not, it depends on who is in your circle. You are whom you hang around with. We can either be a chicken or an eagle, a chump or a champion…which one will you choose to be? We will never be whiners and winners at the same time!! Buckle up and take responsibility for your life and pursue your destiny.
We are a very small nation; let us believe in one another and the dreams and talents of those around us. At times, as relatives we are the worst offenders. But even through all this, the choice still lies with the individual.
Every electrical appliance has a plug to connect the electricity for power to switch on – without serving its function the appliance is useless. The same applies to apply to you – your mind must always be connected to your desires.
*Dr. Wilfred Isak April is a UNAM Graduate and holds a PhD- Entrepreneurship (New Zealand). He lectures Research Methodology and Entrepreneurship at the University of Namibia